TIM RICE has worked in music, theatre and films since 1965 when he met Andrew Lloyd Webber, a fellow struggling songwriter. Rather than pursue Tim’s ambitions to write rock or pop songs they turned their attention to Andrew’s obsession – musical theatre. Their first collaboration was based on the life of Dr. Thomas Barnardo, the Victorian philanthropist, The Likes Of Us. Their next three works together were much more successful – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita.
Tim has since worked with other distinguished popular composers such as Elton John (The Lion King, Aida), Alan Menken (Aladdin, King David, Beauty and the Beast), Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson (Chess), and Stuart Brayson (From Here To Eternity). He also written with Freddie Mercury, Burt Bacharach and Rick Wakeman among others.
He is currently writing and presenting a podcast (entitled Get Onto My Cloud) reminiscing about his years in music, theatre and film – playing hits and flops, out-takes and number ones.
Every now and then, inspired by his hero and friend the late Sammy Cahn, he presents an evening of his songs, mercifully performed by top singers and musicians rather than by him, to which Tim adds reminiscence and comment, recalling their creation, success (or rejection) and the joy (usually) of working with great composers.
His recent musical From Here To Eternity returned to London in November 2022. A new Broadway presentation of Chess is scheduled in the fall of 2023. In early 2024 a new production of his Tony-winning Broadway hit Aida will make its UK West End début.
Sir Tim’s interests beyond music, film and theatre include cricket, as English an interest as you can get. He founded his own cricket team in 1973, which has now played over 700 matches including several in the USA.
He dedicates considerable time to several British educational institutions and charitable organisations, many connected with sport for disadvantaged children.
He crops up here and there in all branches of the media drawing on his extensive knowledge of the history of popular music since Elvis was a lad. He has won several awards, mainly for the wrong thing or for simply turning up, but since you ask: 1 Emmy, 5 GRAMMYs, 3 Tonys and 3 Oscars, making him an EGOT. None more gratifying than the Johnny Mercer award.